Free speech doesn't end at Auburn City Hall meetings

Monday, December 17, 2007 9:42 AM EST

The ACLU seems to waste a lot of time complaining about people who pray in public. I'm not sure if these people are paying attention but doing so is guaranteed by the First Amendment and I quote: “Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion or prohibiting the exercise thereof, or freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”
The significant parts are of course: “or prohibiting the exercise thereof, or freedom of speech.” Every coin in my pocket is embossed with the words In God We Trust. This simple statement does not endorse or further any specific philosophy, religion or greed. Rather it just simply states that as a nation and a people we have faith that a Higher Power, God, will guide our collective efforts!

The Serenity Prayer being recited by outgoing Mayor Lattimore is essentially the same thing. The First Amendment is about Freedom of Religion not Freedom from Religion.

If you people at the ACLU want to get your intestines in a knot how about the seven years that the George Bush and Dick Cheney have been trashing the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the amendments; make some noise about this why not!

Our mayor is exercising his right and the right of every American by reciting a simple prayer at the beginning of the city council meetings. Don't be shocked or surprised by what I am about to say but very often a clergyman or woman is asked to say a prayer in the Congress and Senate. It's all part of “One Nation Under God!” and has been since 1776.

Ernie DeCaro

Auburn

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There are 9 comment(s)

brew1234 wrote on Dec 18, 2007 1:17 AM:

" That is a strange outlook. If you don't like their point of view you change their gender to female. Is this a loathing of the female species? So what have females done to you? Are you a victim of an act of a female? "

karl L wrote on Dec 17, 2007 4:59 PM:

" DD, respectfully--go back and CAREFULLY read my first post in the "Serenity Prayer" letter. C-A-R-E-F-U-L_L-Y! "

DD wrote on Dec 17, 2007 3:50 PM:

" Karl, if a politician steals, is it an endorsement of thievery by the government? "

anonymous wrote on Dec 16, 2007 11:04 PM:

" Funny that Matt Smith indicates that he is going to speak like "one of the regular folks" at the meeting on the subject, and then goes about three minutes over the three minute time limit given to the common folk during the public to be heard. Between this and his failed rantings to throw out Civil Service, someone should remind Mr. Smith that Council Chambers ain't his "bully pulpit"!!! "

coach7811 wrote on Dec 16, 2007 6:39 PM:

" where do you come up with this stuff?Your my zero..Hero.Go karla! "

karl L wrote on Dec 16, 2007 2:15 PM:

" "karla" --is that supposed to be an insult or a compliment? Always glad to educate those who need it most, ie, you! "

coach7811 wrote on Dec 16, 2007 12:46 PM:

" Wow karla you are so smart . Im just glad your here to set eveyone straight.I feel smarter when your around.Thank you. "

karl L wrote on Dec 16, 2007 2:11 AM:

" Never mind; I saw the other letter... "

karl L wrote on Dec 15, 2007 11:06 PM:

" I would be very curious to know just exactly what the wording of the prayer consist of. You can still by law recite a non-denominational prayer as a recognition of our quaint ancestral beliefs, but if it becomes sectarian, ie, mentions Jesus, Allah, etc, it is a state endorsement of religion, and is against the Constitution and the intent of the founding fathers. "

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